Haymaking machine for the tedding

ABSTRACT

In a haymaking machine, at least two drums; a flexible skirt on the lower part of each drum; spaced collectors on the periphery of each drum and means for raising cut hay or fodder plants into a zone located between the drums so as to bring the hay or plants in contact with the collectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to haying machines comprising at least twodrums equipped at their lower part with a flexible skirt and withcollectors distributed along their periphery in order to displace fodderplants lying on the ground.

Known machines of this type are perfectly suitable for operations suchas wind-rowing, displacement or turning over of cut hay or for pickingup fodder. In particular, they have the advantage of being able tocontact the fodder plants softly and of not having metallic teeth incontact with the soil during operation.

These machines, however, are not yet able to ensure a hay tedding ofgood quality. For this operation it is necessary to turn over and spreadwell the fodder in order to suitably expose it to the sun.

The present invention has for its purpose to obviate this drawback.

To this effect, an important characteristic of the invention consists inproviding on each machine means which raise said fodder plants into azone situated between the drums in such a way as to bring them incontact with the collectors which ensure the hay tedding.

This raising brings the plants into the trajectory of the collectorswhich are fixed on the drums. These then have a sure hold on these cutplants which enables them to suitably spread them behind the machine.

Moreover, by virtue of this elevation whose height relative to the soilis equal to or greater than eight centimeters, the fodder plants arereally turned over before falling back on the soil.

The means causing the lifting of the fodder plants advantageously areadjustable to different positions and/or detachable. They can thus beadapted to different working conditions. In addition, the machine can beused for other operations such as windrowing, moving or turning over ofcut hay or for picking up.

According to another characteristic of the invention guiding elementspreferably are also adjustable and/or detachable and are associated tothese means. These elements direct the fodder plants to the sides inorder to obtain a more uniform spreading. Moreover, they prevent theimmediate falling back of the fodder on the ground as soon as they leavethe skirts. This improves their contact with the collectors.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the collectors arepivoted in housings provided on the drums by means of shafts located intheir extension or which are parallel thereto. These housings aredirected toward a direction opposite the rotational direction of thecorresponding drum and downwardly. This assembly makes it possible toadjust these collectors between at least two positions. In one of thesepositions the ends of the collectors which are directed towards thedrums are practically tangential to the walls of these drums and theirother extremities are practically radial. This position is selected fortedding. In the other position which is obtained by simply rotatingaround the pivoting shaft, they are entirely directed downwardly towardthe direction opposed to the rotational direction. This position issuitable for wind rowing since it is less prone to damage the fodderplants.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings which represent by way of non-limiting examplesvarious embodiments of the invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a rear view, in partial cross section of this embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross section along III--III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view in partial cross section of a modification;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 for another embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a further embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a rear view in partial cross section of the embodiment of FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is a cross section taken along line VIII--VIII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross section taken along line X--X of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of a guide of the example according to FIGS.9 and 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross section similar to that of FIG. 8 for anotherembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a rear view in partial cross section of another embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows on a larger scale a detailed view of a collector accordingto the invention;

FIG. 15 is a detailed view of another form of collector;

FIG. 16 is a cross section of another embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a cross section view of another embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the invention and;

FIG. 19 is a rear view in partial cross section of the embodiment ofFIG. 18.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, the machine of the inventioncomprises two drums 1 and 2, connected by means of a chassis 3. Thischassis is itself connected to a trestle 4 by means of a linking beam 5.The said trestle comprises two lower connecting points 6 and 7 and anupper connecting point 8 for coupling to the coupling device of atractor which is not shown. The position of trestle 4 relative to thelinking beam 5 can be defined by means of a cross piece 9. On each drum1 and 2 is provided a roller 10 and 11 for allowing the machine to moveon the ground in direction A.

During operation, the two drums 1 and 2 are rotated according to arrowsF and G around shafts 12 and 13 which are slightly forwardly inclinedrelative to the direction of movement A. This driving effect is effectedin manner known per se from the power shaft of a tractor. The said shaftis connected by means of a shaft with universal connection (not shown)to the end of a grooved shaft 14 which engages in the gear case 15 ofchassis 3. This shaft drives drum 1 by means of a conical pinion and ofa toothed wheel housed in said housing. The driving of drum 2 iseffected by means of a transmission shaft housed in chassis 3. Thisshaft has at its extremity located in the gear case 15 a conical pinionwhich meshes with the previously mentioned toothed wheel, and at itsother extremity which extends in the gear case 16 over drum 2, a secondconical pinion meshing with a toothed wheel integral with said drum 2.

Each of these drums 1 and 2 carries at its lower part a flexible skirt17 and 18 and on its periphery collectors 19 and 20 in order to pick upand move fodder plants lying on the ground. During operation theseskirts 17 and 18 plunge under said cut plants and espouse perfectlyirregularities on the ground and transport the fodder plants on theirupper surfaces.

The said skirts 17 and 18 comprise on their outer edges protuberances 21and 22, and on their upper surface, ribs 23 and 24 which facilitate themovement of the fodder plants.

In conformity with the present invention, the machine has means 25 whichraise said fodder plants into a zone located between drums 1 and 2 insuch a way as to bring them into contact with collectors 19 and 20 whichensure their tedding. Owing to this lifting the said collectors 19 and20 exert a strong grip on the mass of the vegetable plants which aredisplaced. This allows said collectors to treat the fodder plants veryvigorously and to spread them along a considerable width in order toaccelerate the drying cycle. The height (H) of elevation relative to thesoil is at least equal to eight centimeters. Good results have beenobtained with heights (H) comprised between eight and thirtycentimeters. This elevation makes it possible also to obtain a betterturning over effect than that which is obtained with a simple projectionat ground level.

Said means 25 advantageously are located under skirts 17 and 18 of drums1 and 2. Thus they are practically not in contact with the fodder plantsand do not in any way interfere with their displacement.

According to a characteristic of the invention, these means 25 areconstituted by a device which lifts the skirts 17 and 18 of drums 1 and2 into a zone located behind a plane (P) passing through shafts 12 and13 of these drums. The fodder plants transported on the upper surface ofthe skirts 17 and 18 are then lifted in the same way.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, these means 25 comprises at least oneroller 26. It is possible to employ two or more rollers in order toextend the zone of elevation. This roller 26 is freely rotatably mountedon a shaft 27. The extremities of this shaft 27 are guided in sidesupports 28 and 29 connected with shafts 12 and 13 of drums 1 and 2.During operation, roller 26 is rotated by skirts 17 and 18. Thisrotation avoids a considerable rubbing of skirts 17 and 18 on roller 26and thereby their wear.

As it appears in particular from FIG. 3, the position of roller 26 isadjustable. This adjustment makes it possible to select the height oflifting and/or to modify its position in accordance with the nature andthe volume of the fodder plants moved. To this effect, lateral supports28 and 29 comprise plates 30 having several out of phase holes 31 andplates 32 each having an oblong hole 33. The holes 31 make it possibleto modify the height of roller 26 relative to the soil while the oblonghole 33 makes it possible to modify its position toward the front or theback relative to the direction of movement A.

Roller 26 advantageously is removable. For this it suffices to separateplates 30 from plates 32 by unscrewing bolts 34. The machine can then beused for operations such as wind rowing, moving or turning over of hayor for picking up fodder plants.

In the modification according to FIG. 4, roller 26 comprises a largecentral groove 35. In addition, each remaining lateral part comprises aninclined surface 36 and 37. These surfaces are in contact with skirts 17and 18 and lift them.

This embodiment ensures a better distribution of friction along theentire width of skirts 17 and 18. In effect, the outside edges of skirts17 and 18 which are in contact with the soil in the front part of thetrajectory do not undergo any rubbing while passing on roller 26. Thisdistribution makes it possible to increase the life span of skirts 17and 18.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, the means 25 which lift skirts 17and 18 are constituted by wheels or rollers 38 and 39. These rollers 38and 39 are freely rotatably mounted on shafts 40 and 41 connected toshafts 12 and 13 of drums 1 and 2. This connection is ensured by meansof supports 42 and 43 consisting each of a strut 44 of a plaque 45 and abrace 46. The position of these rollers 38 and 39 are adjustable bymoving struts 44. They can also be detached in order to eliminate thelifting of skirts 17 and 18 if the operator desires to use the machinefor another operation than tedding. These rollers 38 and 39 also makepossible a distribution of the friction on practically the entire widthof skirts 17 and 18.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 6 to 8 differs from the precedingexamples by the presence of a guiding element 47. This element isassociated to means 25 which are constituted in this example by a roller48 in order to improve the spreading of fodder plants behind themachine.

Guiding element 47 is constituted by a plate or deflecting sheet 49placed behind roller 48. This sheet is fastened to a cross piece 50connected to struts 51 of lateral supports 52 and 53 of roller 48. Thedeflecting sheet 49 and roller 48 form an assembly. The said sheet 49extends rearwardly preferably beyond skirts 17 and 18 and passespartially thereunder. Its rear part is larger and higher than its frontpart which is directed toward roller 48. As this is clearly indicated onFIG. 7, this sheet 49 has a V-shaped cross section whose apex isupwardly directed.

Said sheet 49 thus prevents the fodder plants from falling back on theground immediately after leaving skirts 17 and 18. Owing to its shape itguides these plants towards the sides in order to obtain a more uniformlayer on the entire width of the strip being worked.

This guiding element 47 can also consist of rods placed side by side oreven by driven means.

Roller 48 and guiding element 47 are adjustable and/or detachable in thesame way as roller 26 of the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, guiding element 47 comprises asubstantially flat plate or sheet 55 equipped with deflectors 56. Thissheet 55 is positioned behind a roller 57 which lifts skirts 17 and 18.It is fixed to a cross piece 58 connected to lateral supports 59 and 60of the said roller 57. Sheet 55 and roller 57 thus form an assemblywhose position is adjustable by means of lateral supports 59 and 60.This assembly is also detachable. Deflectors 56 are directed in such away that they distribute the fodder plants on the rear side of themachine. Their position relative to sheet 55 advantageously isadjustable. To this effect, each deflector 56 is pivoted to sheet 55 bymeans of its front end and has a sector 61 which engages into a slot 62provided in said sheet (see FIG. 11). This sector 61 has an oblong hole63 through which passes a tightening bolt 64 which also passes through astud 65 fixed against the lower surface of sheet 55. Owing to thisoblong hole 63 and to bolt 64, each deflector 56 can be immobilized indifferent positions relative to sheet 55. These deflectors 56 can forexample be raised as shown in FIG. 11 or lowered so as to be practicallyparallel to sheet 55. Intermediate positions can also be selected. Inupright position, they retain more of displaced fodder plants. Thisposition will be preferably selected in the case where the volume offodder plants to move is small in order to improve the grip ofcollectors 19 and 20 on these plants. However, when the volume of fodderplants is considerable it is preferred to lower deflectors 56 tofacilitate their movement.

It is evident that guiding means 47 can also be associated to roller 26in FIG. 4 or to runners 38 and 39 of FIG. 5.

In the modification of FIG. 12, means 25 which lifts skirts 17 and 18and guiding element 47 comprises the same member 66. The latter has theshape of a sheet whose front end is downwardly bent. This bent end liftsskirts 17 and 18. The part located behind this bent end has an inverted"V" cross section in order to better disperse the fodder plants. It canalso be almost flat and comprise deflectors identical to those of theexample shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.

Member 66 is fixed to lateral supports 67. Each of these comprises astrut 68 and an adjusting plate 69 which is connected to shaft 12 or 13of the corresponding drum 1 or 2. The position of this piece can beadjusted by means of strut 68. It is also detachable in order to allowother operations than tedding.

In the modification according to FIG. 13, member 66 comprises a largecentral groove 17. This groove makes it possible to avoid rubbing onmember 66 by the outside of skirts 17 and 18 which are in contact withthe soil during operation. There is thus no additional wear of theseouter parts which increases the useful life of skirts 17 and 18.

Collectors 19 and 20 which are provided on the walls of drums 1 and 2are bent and are pivoted in supports 71 fixed on said drums by means ofbolts 72 (FIG. 14). Each collector 19 and 20 has a pivoting shaft 73engaged in a housing 74 provided in said support 71. This pivoting shaft73 is located in the extension of collector 19 and 20 which correspondsthereto or is practically parallel thereto. Said housings 74 aredirected in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation (F) or(G) or the corresponding drum 1 or 2 and downwardly (see also thepreceding figures.).

These collectors 19 and 20 can be stopped in at least two differentpositions relative to drums 1 and 2. Their locking in each position iseffected by means of a bolt 75. In one of these positions which is shownin continuous lines in FIG. 14, the ends of collectors 19 and 20 whichare directed toward drums 1 and 2 are practically tangential to thewalls thereof, while their other ends are practically radial. Moreover,the trajectories of the collectors 19 and 20 of two neighboring drumsoverlap partially. This position is suitable for tedding since it givesa good grip on the cut plants.

In the other of these positions which is shown in dots and dashes inFIG. 14, collectors 19 or 20 are completely downwardly directed andtoward the direction opposite to the rotational direction of thecorresponding drum 1 or 2. This position is reached by making them pivotby about 180° in the housings 74 of supports 71. In this position thecollectors 19, 20 do not grab the plants as in the preceding position.Moreover, the diameter of their trajectory is reduced in such a way thatthere is no longer any partial overlap between the drums 1 and 2. Thisposition is selected for wind-rowing or for moving or turning over hay.

According to FIG. 15, each collector (19, 20 comprises two substantiallyparallel branches 76 and 77. This arrangement increases the efficiencyof these collectors.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, means (25) which lift the fodder plantsare constituted by nozzles 78 connected to blowers 79 by conduits 80.The said nozzles 78 send jets of air through orifices 81 provided inskirts 17 and 18. This air blows the fodder plants from the uppersurface of skirt 17 and 18 and brings them into contact with collectors19 and 20 so as to ted them. For wind-rowing these fodder plants, theblowing of air is stopped and the position of collectors 19 and 20 ismodified as previously described.

Adjustable and/or detachable guiding elements 47 similar to thosedescribed in connection with the examples of FIGS. 6 to 13 can also beprovided on the machine according to FIG. 16.

As shown in FIG. 16, there is provided a blower 79 for each drum 1 or 2.Each blower is located inside drum 1, 2 corresponding thereto and isconnected to the support shaft 12, 13 of this drum. The driving ofblower 79 is effected by means of a belt 82 passing on two pulleys 83and 84. Pulley 84 is rotationally connected to the corresponding drum 1or 2. The upper part of each drum 1 or 2 has openings 85 to allow inletof air to blower 79.

In the machine according to the example of FIG. 17, the means (25) forlifting the fodder plants comprises levers 86 connected to skirts 17, 18and cooperating with guiding cams 87 which are stationary duringoperation. Skirts 17 and 18 are pivoted to drums 1, 2 by means of pivots88. The cams 87 are fixed on supporting shafts 12, 13 of drums 1, 2 andhave a different level toward the bottom. Each level 86 has at its endwhich is directed towards cam 87 of the corresponding drum 1 or 2 aroller 89 which moves in said cam during the rotation of drums 1 and 2.

Thus, when during operation rollers 89 pass in the different level, theydisplace levers 86 downwardly. These then make skirts 17, 18 pivotupwardly around pivots 88. This pivoting raises the fodder plants onskirts 17 and 18 in such a way that they can be contacted by collectors19, 20. As in the previous examples, an adjustable and detachableguiding element 47 can be associated with drums 1 and 2 in order toimprove the spreading of the fodder plants.

The cam 87 of each drum 1 and 2 can be angularly displaced aroundsupport shaft 12, 13 corresponding thereto. Thus by rotating of cams 87it is possible to bring the pivoting zone of skirts 17 and 18 in therear parts of drums 1 and 2. That is to say, the part where the fodderplants have already left skirts 17 and 18. Thanks to this adjustment, itis possible to eliminate the lifting of fodder in the zone locatedbetween drums 1 and 2. This position is suitable for depositing thefodder plants in the form of rows or for moving or turning over rowsalready formed. In this case collectors 19, 20 can also be brought intoa position where they will deal less harshly with the fodder.

In a modification of FIGS. 18 and 19, lifting means 25 which raiseskirts 17 and 18 consist of disks or plates 90 and 91. These disks arefreely rotatable on shafts 92 and 93 which are slightly inclined. Saidshafts are integral with arms 94, 95 which are pivoted on bent supports96 and 97. The latter are connected to shafts 12 and 13 of drums 1 and2. These supports 96 and 97 can be adjusted to different positionsaround shafts 12 and 13 in order to vary the position of gears or disks90 and 91 in a substantially horizontal plane. They can also be movedalong shafts 12 and 13 in order to vary the position of disks 90 and 91with respect to height. Stopping of these supports 96 and 97 in theselected position can be accomplished by means of screws which are notshown.

The arms 94 and 95 can also be moved around their pivots 98 and 99 withbent supports 96 and 97 for an additional adjustment of the position ofdisks 90 and 91. Stopping of these arms 94 and 95 also can be achievedby means of screws.

Arms 94 and 95 and bent supports 96 and 97 advantageously have a shapeof a V (see FIG. 18). This arrangement makes possible a large selectionof positions into which disks 90 and 91 can be placed.

Said disks 90 and 91 can also be moved towards the middle of each drum(1 and 2) and/or downwardly so that they no longer lift or practicallynot lift skirts 17 and 18 during operation. In this position the machinecan be used for other operations such as haying or turning over of hay.It is evident that it is also possible to detach disks 90 and 91 if itis desired to eliminate their cooperation with skirts 17 and 18.

These disks 90 and 91 advantageously are very low. Owing to this fact,they are relatively far from the ground and thus less exposed to shocksagainst obstacles on the ground. Moreover, in this embodiment, there isno member traversing the interval between the two skirts 17 and 18.There is accordingly no risk of accumulating fodder at this point.

As in the previously described examples, it is possible to associate anadjustable and detachable guiding element 47 to drums 1 and 2 in orderto improve spreading of the cut hay.

It is evident that it is possible to vary the number of drums permachine. It is also possible to modify the above examples which weredescribed in non-limiting fashion and to bring thereto variousimprovements, modifications or additions, or to replace certain elementsby equivalent elements without thereby departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

I claim:
 1. A haymaking machine comprising at least two drums; aflexible skirt on the lower part of each drum; spaced collectors on theperiphery of said drums and means located at least partially under theskirts of said drums for raising cut fodder plants into a zone locatedbetween the drums so as to improve the hold on said plants by saidcollectors.
 2. A haymaking machine comprising at least two drums; aflexible skirt on the lower part of each drum; spaced collectors on theperiphery of said drums and means for raising cut fodder plants into azone located between the drums so as to improve the hold on said plantsby said collectors, wherein said raising means comprises a device forlifting the skirts of said drums into a zone located between said drumsand behind a plane passing through the axes thereof.
 3. A machineaccording to claim 2 wherein said device comprises at least one rollerlocated at least partially under said skirts and said roller is freelyrotatable.
 4. A machine according to claim 3 wherein each drum has ashaft and wherein said roller is mounted on a shaft having ends fittingin supports connected to the said shafts of each drum.
 5. A machineaccording to claim 4 wherein the position of said roller is adjustable.6. A machine according to claim 3 wherein said roller comprises inclinedsurfaces in contact with the skirts.
 7. A machine according to claim 2wherein said device for lifting said skirts comprises wheels locatedunder said skirts.
 8. Machine according to claim 7 wherein the positionof said wheels is adjustable.
 9. Machine according to claim 7 whereinsaid wheels are removable.
 10. Machine according to claim 2 wherein saidmeans comprises levers and cams, said levers cooperating with said camsto lift said skirts.
 11. Machine according to claim 10 wherein said camsare angularly movable relative to said drums.
 12. Machine according toclaim 2 wherein said means which lift said skirts comprises diskslocated under said skirts.
 13. Machine according to claim 12 wherein theposition of said disks is adjustable.
 14. Machine according to claim 13wherein there are provided arms and supports holding said disks andbeing articulated to one another in the form of a "V".
 15. Machineaccording to claim 14 wherein said supports are movable relative to theshafts of said drums.
 16. Machine according to claim 12 wherein saiddisks are removable.
 17. Machine according to claim 3 wherein saidroller is removable.
 18. Machine according to claim 3 wherein saidroller comprises a central groove.
 19. A haymaking machine comprising atleast two drums; a flexible skirt on the lower part of each drum; spacedcollectors on the periphery of said drums and means for raising cutfodder plants into a zone located between the drums, wherein said meanscomprises nozzles and the skirt have orifices, said nozzles beingconnected to blower means which blow air through said orifices. 20.Machine according to claim 19 wherein said blowers are located in saiddrums.
 21. A haymaking machine comprising, at least two drums; aflexible skirt on the lower part of each drum; spaced collectors on theperiphery of said drums, means for raising cut fodder plants into a zonelocated between the drums so as to improve the hold on said plants bysaid collectors and further including a guiding element for cut fodder,said guiding element extending at least partially under the skirts ofsaid drums and being associated to the means for raising said cut fodderto provide a more uniform spreading of said fodder behind said haymakingmachine.
 22. Machine according to claim 21 wherein said guiding elementcomprises a deflecting sheet extending rearwardly rearwardly startingfrom the raising zone of said cut fodder.
 23. Machine according to claim22 wherein the rear portion of said guiding element is larger andlocated higher than its front part.
 24. Machine according to claim 23wherein said guiding element has a "V"-shaped section with an upwardlydirected apex.
 25. Machine according to claim 21 wherein said guidingelement comprises a substantially flat plate equipped with deflectors.26. Machine according to claim 25 wherein the position of saiddeflectors is adjustable.
 27. Machine according to claim 22 wherein themeans for raising cut fodder and said guiding element comprises onemember.
 28. Machine according to claim 27 wherein the front end of saidmember is downwardly bent.
 29. Machine according to claim 21 wherein theposition of said guiding element is adjustable.
 30. Machine according toclaim 27 wherein said member comprises a large central groove. 31.Machine according to claim 21 wherein said guiding element is removable.32. Machine according to claim 29, wherein the shaft of each collectoris practically parallel thereto and is engaged in a housing extendingdownwardly and in the opposite direction from the rotation of thecorresponding drum.